Android,today's most popular mobile platform

Android, the world's most popular mobile platform

Android powers millions of phones, tablets, and other devices and brings the power of Google and the web into your hands.

With an amazingly fast browser, cloud sync, multi-tasking, easy ways to connect & share and the latest Google apps (and thousands of other apps available on Android Market) your Android powered device is beyond smart.

Android is a Linux based open source mobile platform and claims the largest installed base of any mobile platform and is rapidly growing. A brief historical timeline of the Android platform would help us understand how far the platform has come and how much it has evolved.

Android Inc. was founded by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White in October 2003 but was acquired by Google Inc. in August of 2005. In November 2007, Open Handset Alliance (OHA) was formed which unveiled Android and Android Beta SDK was released as well.

Android Version 1.0

 This first release was made in September 2008, but was not used in any commercially available device.

 

Android Version 1.1

 This minor update was the first release used in a commercial device, the T-mobile G1, in October 2008.

Android Version 1.5 (Cupcake)

This was a major release that was first utilized by a number of manufacturers. It was made available in April 2009, Enhancements include:

• Camcorder support to record and watch videos
• Ability to easily upload images and videos to Picasa and YouTube
• A number of Bluetooth improvements
• Widgets and folders can now be placed on the home screen
• Animation on various screen transitions
• On-screen keyboard with text-prediction

Android Version 1.6 (Donut)

The V1.6 Software Development Kit (SDK) was released in September 2009. Enhancements include:

• New camera, camcorder and photo gallery interfaces
• Improved voice search and search experience
• Support for higher screen resolutions
• Google turn-by-turn navigation
• Text to speech engine
• Multi-touch gesture support
• VPN (Virtual Private Network) support

Android Version 2.0 and 2.1 (Éclair)

In October 2009, the 2.0 SDK was released, and updated in January 2010 with version 2.1. Few devices were released with v2.0, but v2.1 has been quite popular. Enhancements include:

• Improved UI
• Contact and Account improvements and synchronization
• Email support for Exchange, supports multiple account aggregation
• More camera improvements including flash, digital zoom, white balance, scene modes and macro focus
• Improved virtual keyboard
• Browser improvements including key functions of HTML5
• Improved speed
• Improvements to Calendar and Google Maps
• Bluetooth 2.1 support and related Bluetooth features
• Live wallpapers

Android Version 2.2 (Froyo – Frozen Yogurt)

Released in May 2010 with camera control improvements with more on-screen buttons

• Tethering with up to 8 Wi-Fi hotspots or via USB connection
• Multi-lingual keyboard support allows quick language switching
• More performance improvements for faster app access and browser speedups
• Bluetooth improvements including voice dialing, contract sharing, support for Bluetooth car and desk docks
• Numerous enhancements for Microsoft's Exchange, such as remote wipe, calendar support, global address lists and improved security
• New home screen tips widget

Android Version 2.3 (Gingerbread)

In December 2010 the 2.3 SDK was released. There have also been a stream of minor updates and bug fixes to version 2.3 since it's initial release, with the latest as version 2.3.7 in September 2011. Enhancements from the first 2.3 release include:

• UI refinements for simplicity and speed
• Faster, more intuitive text input on the virtual keyboard
• One-touch word selection and copy/paste
• Improved power management and power usage status
• Application status and ability to manually stop applications
• Internet phone calling
• Near-Field Communication (NFC) support to read NFC tags
• New download manager
• Multiple camera support (i.e. front and rear cameras)
• Support for barometer, gravity, gyroscope, linear acceleration and rotation vector sensors.

Android Version 3.0 (Honeycomb)

In February 2011, the 3.0 SDK was released. It was targeted at devices with larger screens such as tablets. Enhancements include:

• New UI optimized for tablets includes a new system bar, action bar, customizable home screens and recent apps list
• Redesigned keyboard for faster more accurate entry
• Improved text selection, copy and paste
• Synchronize media files via USB without mounting a USB mass-storage device
• Support for physical keyboards via Bluetooth or USB
• Bluetooth tethering allows more devices to share the network connection
• Updated applications for larger screens including browser, camera, gallery, contact and email
• Multi-core processor support
• High-performance 2D and 3D graphic support.

Android Version 3.1 (Honeycomb)

In June 2011, Android 3.1 was released and was targeted at devices with larger screens such as tablets. Enhancements include:

• UI refinements to navigation and animations
• USB devices and accessories supported, including mice, keyboards, digital cameras and more.
• Expanded recent apps list
• Resizable Home screen widgets
• Support for joysticks and gamepads
• Improved Wi-Fi networking stability, including connection while the screen is off
• Updated set of standard apps, including browser, gallery calendar, contacts and email.
• Enterprise support features

Android Version 3.2 (Honeycomb)

In July 2011, Android 3.2 was released. Enhancements over prior versions include:

• Further enhancements for Tablets
• Compatibility zoom for fixed-sized applications
• Direct application access to SD card file system
• Extended screen API for managing different screen sizes.

Android Version 4.0 (Ice-Cream Sandwich)

Released late October 2011, it merges the 3.x tab centric design and the v2.x phone based design into a single version.

Major UI changes and enhancements include:

• Refined UI
• Recent Apps selection
• Home folders and favorites tray
• Resizable Widgets
• Lock screen actions
• Quick Response for calls
• Network data control

Other areas that are new or improved include:

• Social network improvements
• Unified calendar
• Camera and Camcorder changes - face detection, image stabilization, snapshots while video recording, new gallery app with photo editor
• Browser can get full desktop versions of web sites
• Improved Email
• NFC based sharing
• Face Unlock
• WiFi-Direct support

Android Version 4.1 (Jelly Bean)

In July 2012, version 4.1 was released. UI changes and enhancements include:

• Improved touch response and transitions
• Expandable, actionable notifications
• Adaptive keyboard and guesses

Other areas that are new or improved include:

• Instant review of taken photos
• External braille input and output via USB
• Improved Voice search
• NFC based photo sharing
• USB audio
• Google Wallet

Android Version 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

Released in October 2012. UI changes and enhancements include:

• Multiple users for tablets

Other areas that are new or improved include:

• Photo Sphere to take 360 degree images
• Built-in keyboard gesture typing (like Swype)
• Daydream to display info while idle or docked
• Beam photos and videos

Distribution of the various versions across devices

Donut	0.20%
Éclair	0.40%
Froyo	9.00%
Gingerbread	47.60%
Honeycomb	1.50%
Ice Cream Sandwich	29.10%
Jelly Bean	10.20%

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